European Commission proposals may please those trading in mobiles

New suggestions have been put forward by the European Commission that are intended to enhance competition within the mobile phone roaming market.

Individuals may be tempted to seek cash for phones in to upgrade to new handsets and take advantage of any future long-term solution to reducing the high cost of using mobiles overseas.

According to the European Union executive, users should have more choice when travelling with their phones and could be offered roaming contracts that are separate from national deals, something that could be in place from July 2014.

The Brussels-based body wants a long-term way of addressing the high cost of making phone calls and using the internet abroad and has recommended the adoption of a directly binding regulation introducing structural changes to the current system.

It has also advised that between now and 2014, retail price caps for services should be gradually lower and a ceiling put in place for data roaming charges.

Roaming refers to making or receiving phone calls, sending text messages or downloading internet data while travelling in a country other than that in which the mobile contract is based.

Posted by Peter Robinson

New suggestions have been put forward by the European Commission that are intended to enhance competition within the mobile phone roaming market.

Individuals may be tempted to seek cash for phones in to upgrade to new handsets and take advantage of any future long-term solution to reducing the high cost of using mobiles overseas.

According to the European Union executive, users should have more choice when travelling with their phones and could be offered roaming contracts that are separate from national deals, something that could be in place from July 2014.

The Brussels-based body wants a long-term way of addressing the high cost of making phone calls and using the internet abroad and has recommended the adoption of a directly binding regulation introducing structural changes to the current system.

It has also advised that between now and 2014, retail price caps for services should be gradually lower and a ceiling put in place for data roaming charges.

Roaming refers to making or receiving phone calls, sending text messages or downloading internet data while travelling in a country other than that in which the mobile contract is based.